About the role:
The Knitwear Designer is responsible for leading the knitwear design process from concept to production, ensuring that our knitwear collections are innovative, on-trend, and meet the highest quality standards. The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical understanding of knitwear construction, excellent design skills, and a proven track record of developing successful knitwear products. This role works cross-functionally with key departments, including buying, marketing, and garment technology, to drive commercial success while mentoring and developing junior members of the design team.
Your Responsibilities:
· Research and identify current and emerging knitwear trends, including styles, colours, yarns, and techniques.
· Lead the development of original knitwear designs, including sketches, technical drawings, and specifications.
· Create seasonal knitwear collections that align with the brand's aesthetic and target market.
· Select appropriate yarns, stitches, and knitwear techniques for each design.
· Oversee the creation of prototypes and samples, ensuring accurate execution of designs.
· Approve final line-ups, ensuring product range aligns with customer needs and commercial objectives
· Evaluate market trends, consumer behaviour, and competitor activity to drive future design strategies and direction
· Oversee collection planning, ensuring design workstreams align with critical path and business priorities
· Mentor and develop junior designers, providing guidance on both creative and technical aspects
· Collaborate with senior members (Buying, Marketing, Merchandising) to align creative direction
· React strategically to trade and performance feedback, driving quick-turn updates or edits to enhance sell-through
Requirements
· Extensive experience in knitwear design, with a strong track record of designing commercially successful knitwear collections
· Proven experience conducting market and trend research, with the ability to translate insights into commercially relevant, brand-aligned collections.
· Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), and confident in producing high-quality CADs, moodboards, and presentation materials.
· Strong technical skills in garment construction and product development, including creating and reviewing detailed tech packs and prototypes
· Experience negotiating with suppliers and managing high-level vendor relationships with confidence and professionalism
· Excellent organisational and project management skills, able to manage multiple deadlines, oversee the critical path, and balance creative output with business priorities
· Collaborative approach with cross-functional teams (Buying, Merchandising, Garment Tech, Marketing), ensuring alignment at all stages of the design and development process
· Resilient, adaptable, and solution-oriented, with a forward-thinking, trend-led design approach
Benefits
- Birthday day off
- 25-day holiday
- Flexible hours
- Vibrant team
- 40% off staff discount
- Team socials
- Free Parking
- Competitions
- Hybrid working - 4 days in the Altrincham office
